Tennessee
Opponents of repealing Tennessee’s Certificate of Need law are fearmongering
Augusta Birth Center holds press conference on Certificate-of-Need law
Augusta Birth Center founder Katie Chubb, along with Americans for Prosperity-Georgia, hold a press conference about certificate-of-need laws.
Katie Goodale, Augusta Chronicle
RE: “Tennessee Certificate of Need health care laws can be improved but should not be repealed,” by Wendy Long, March 18.
A recent piece by Tennessee Hospital Association CEO Wendy Long erroneously claims that repealing Certificate of Need (CON) laws will decrease access to healthcare. This, even though CON laws by design make it difficult or impossible for healthcare facilities to open or expand.
Dr. Long and other proponents argue that hospitals will close without the monopoly power conferred by CON laws, claiming that if new healthcare facilities open, existing hospitals may lose privately insured patients and won’t be viable with only uninsured or under-insured patients. This argument is intended to sound scary, but real-world evidence shows it’s untrue.
One-third of the U.S. population live in states without CON laws, making it easy to compare outcomes in CON and non-CON states.
The research shows states without CON laws have more hospitals and surgery centers per capita. The results hold up when researchers study only rural communities, ending the “cherry-picking” argument.
If repealing CON laws causes hospital closures, we would see fewer hospitals in non-CON states. Yet the exact opposite is true. States without CON laws have more facilities.
Further, CON laws don’t increase access to care for underserved populations. A 2023 review of all academic CON law studies found no evidence that CON laws lead to greater care for underserved populations. In fact, one test found that safety-net hospitals had higher profit margins in states that already nixed their CON laws.
When considering CON repeal, policymakers should heed the research instead of allowing fearmongering from CON beneficiaries to guide legislative reforms.
Jaimie Cavanaugh is legal policy counsel at Pacific Legal Foundation and Jeff Mazzella of Franklin, Tennessee is president at Center for Individual Freedom.
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The Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is coming into focus, and the initial interview phase is in full swing.
Following the news that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be having a first virtual interview on Thursday, the dates and times for some interviews for other candidates have come out.
Multiple reports on social media indicate that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will meet with Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday, followed by Nagy on Thursday. The team will then follow that up by meeting with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday.
Tennessee will also meet with interim head coach Mike McCoy, and is rumored to have interest in former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
It’s an ever-changing process in Nashville. Stay up to date with all the coaching search news with us here at Titans Wire, and please sound off with your thoughts.
Tennessee
Sick and tired: Counties near Chattanooga are now reporting highest flu rates in Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — Tennessee health officials say flu activity is rising sharply in around Chattanooga, with counties surrounding Hamilton showing some of the highest rates in the state.
Marion, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bradley, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, McMinn and Polk counties are currently the only areas in Tennessee rated “very high” for influenza activity by the Tennessee Dept. of Health. Photo via the Tennessee Health Dept.
Marion, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bradley, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, McMinn and Polk counties are currently the only areas in Tennessee rated “very high” for influenza activity by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These counties have flu positivity rates greater than 10 percent. By comparison, the statewide average is 6.5 percent, and Hamilton County itself is at 6.9 percent.
State and federal health experts say the surge comes as influenza A(H3N2) continues to circulate widely. The CDC reports at least 11 million flu illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths nationwide so far this season. One pediatric death was reported this week in Tennessee, bringing the season total to nine nationwide.
File photo: Getty Images.
Georgia officials are also reporting higher-than-average flu activity, signaling that the region is experiencing a particularly active season. Health authorities encourage residents six months and older to get vaccinated if they have not already and to take precautions such as frequent handwashing and staying home when sick.
Flu activity is expected to remain elevated in Tennessee and across the U.S. for several more weeks, according to the CDC. Local hospitals and clinics are urging families to monitor symptoms and seek care early, especially for children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions.
For the latest guidance on influenza vaccination and antiviral treatments, visit the Tennessee Department of Health or the CDC at cdc.gov.
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